Transnational Protection of Children: The case of Albania and Greece 2000-2006

[TIRANA] - Both Albania and Greece have made significant efforts to end child trafficking and support NGOs’ initiatives in both countries. While recognising the progress achieved, the new publication by Terre des hommes and ARSIS, Transnational Protection of children: The case of Albania Greece 2000-2006, identifies the main existing gaps and discusses potential solutions. It urges the Albanian and Greek States to increase their efforts towards empowerment of vulnerable communities. The publication links such a need with the significant role that the community, families and children themselves play in preventing trafficking from occurring.

The publication, which was supported by UNICEF, describes the activities implemented by the two organisations and their partners in the frame of TACT Project (Transnational Action against Child Trafficking). The project commenced in an environment characterized by frequent movements of vulnerable children internally or across the border. Thus emphasizing the transnational element of child protection element in the context of Albania-Greece became a necessity.

The publication presents the evolution of the root causes behind trafficking and exploitation of Albanian children and elaborates on how the project has sought to adapt to the evolving situation and new trends.

The joint activities of the organizations, both in Albania and Greece have sought to enhance the resilience of children and families against trafficking. An efficient way of reaching this aim is the improvement of the living conditions of such communities and promotion of school attendance by children. In addition, the two NGOs present the steps undertaken towards the awareness of these communities on child’s rights and the responsibility of the family/community in ensuring them.

Parallel to the work in the community, the two NGOs explain the project’s efforts to influence legislation and policies affecting children both in Albania and Greece. Criminal approach alone has proven to be insufficient in addressing trafficking and exploitation of children. The publication urges the Albanian authorities for better implementation of family law, addressing domestic violence and failures in ensuring registration of children after their birth.

Moreover, by taking a transnational approach, the publication discloses in details the reality of the Albanian children exploited in Greece. One of the problems evidenced is that often their status as illegal migrants is more decisive for the authorities’ approach than their rights as children. In addition to improving the national policies in Greece, the publication envisages the need for increased collaboration between the Albanian and Greek States. A positive step was undertaken with the signing of a bilateral agreement between the two countries on the protection of child victims of trafficking. The model of collaboration between Albanian and Greek NGOs as demonstrated in the publication can further enhance also the States’ transnational collaboration at the benefit of children.

pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/tdh_transnat_protection.pdf

Countries

Please note that these reports are hosted by CRIN as a resource for Child Rights campaigners, researchers and other interested parties. Unless otherwise stated, they are not the work of CRIN and their inclusion in our database does not necessarily signify endorsement or agreement with their content by CRIN.